The River and Beyond - Marine Conservation and the Future

Type

Membership

When

Where

2019-03-05 18:00
2019-03-05 20:30 America/New_YorkThe River and Beyond - Marine Conservation and the FutureNo description.Marine Science Research Institute at Jacksonville University

About the Speaker

Chris Fischer

Chris Fischer is an ocean explorer who has led 32 global expeditions to accelerate the ocean’s rejuvenation to balance and abundance, by unlocking the life history puzzle of white sharks and other keystone species through expeditions aboard his ship, the OCEARCH.

Fischer’s multi-disciplined and collaborative approach has enabled 174 scientists from 90 international and regional institutions, greatly increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of ocean research. This has led to 22 scientific published papers and more than 30 papers in progress. This research is being leveraged to drive data-centric policy decisions. Fischer has worked on ocean environmental protection policies with presidents of a number of countries, including the U.S.

Fischer believes in creating inspirational learning environments. In 2013, OCEARCH’s Global Shark Tracker was launched. This website and app allows students, the public, and scientists to learn about sharks while tracking them across the planet in near-real-time. In 2014, a STEM curriculum based on the Tracker was introduced. Since then, 100+ lesson plans have been downloaded in 45 states. In 2017, OCEARCH joined forces with Jacksonville University to foster unique opportunities for college student-centric education and promote experiential learning. Not only do students benefit from this collaboration at a classroom level, but they are also involved at the forefront of high-caliber research.

From 2009 to 2012, Fischer hosted 30 hours of TV episodes on National Geographic Channel and 10 hours on the History Channel, chronicling the research on the white shark. From 2001 to 2009, he hosted the four-time Emmy Award-winning “Offshore Adventures.” It was the #1 watched outdoor TV series and had the goal of pouring the oceans back into people’s lives, as Fischer believes that most people are disconnected from the ocean. Fischer has received numerous recognitions, including The Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Medal for Imagination in Exploration and the Nominee Trust 100 Award for top social innovators list. OCEARCH has been featured in more than 10,000 outlets including The New York Times, CNN, CBS Morning News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and most major news media organizations worldwide. His work is being supported through socially innovative partnerships with Costa Sunglasses, SeaWorld, Jacksonville University, YETI Coolers, and Southern Tide.

A. Quinton White, Jr., Ph.D.

A. Quinton White is Executive Director, Marine Science Research Institute and Professor of Biology and Marine Science at Jacksonville University. Dr. White joined the faculty at Jacksonville University in 1976, having completed his Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina at the Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research. Dr. White has written numerous research and technical papers or reports and received grants and contracts to support marine research at JU. Currently he is conducting research on the history of human impact on the Florida environment and especially on the St. Johns River with a focus on manatees and water quality issues. Dr. White has been active in the Jacksonville community and writes a monthly column in the Florida Times-Union called “River Life”. OCEARCH at JU is an exciting new program at JU now affiliated with the MSRI.